Today's security threats more challenging, sophisticated – Jonathan

By The Citizen

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that unlike before where states engage in conventional warfare with each other, today's enemies are more complex, sophisticated and lethal non-state actors than ever before.

President Jonathan disclosed this yesterday at the graduation ceremony of Course 21 Participants for the National Defence College (NDC) where he urged the members of the Armed Forces to discover new approach and greater sophistication to tackle security challenges facing the country, especially the Boko Haram insurgency.

President Jonathan who was represented by the Senate President, David Mark, stated that it was evident that national and regional security in the 21st century is determined by forces that are operating within and beyond national borders.

'In the past, adversaries were easier to identify and confronted in open hostilities.

Today, the enemy is usually unseen, hiding behind human shields and despicable ideologies, and deploying cyber offensives, in addition to lethal conventional and unconventional armaments.
'Confronting these new threats require new thinking, new approaches and greater sophistication in equipment and capabilities.
'Our Armed Forces must be agile and proactive, by enhancing their capabilities to identify and disrupt before execution, the plans and machinations of these faceless enemies. Including their sources of funding, arsenal, training bases and recruitment efforts,' he stated.
Jonathan used the event to put the armed forces to task as he admonished them to remain eternally vigilant to reduce our vulnerability, and constantly review their strategies.
He assured the military that government will continue to implement measures to reposition them; saying this was to ensure that the armed forces were properly equipped to enable them carry out their constitutional mandate and other responsibilities on behalf of the nation.
Jonathan said in spite of the challenges confronting the nation, this administration was determined to reform the economy and society, so that people can live better and more.
'The covenant we have with our people is to deliver a greater Nigeria that we believe in. We are committed to this and we must deliver it to the coming generations.
'I congratulate the graduating officers of Course 21, from whom what I have heard so far, you all have demonstrated the spirit of handwork and commitment during your time at the college.
'And have been found deserving of your new prestigious status of the Fellow of the National Defence College (fdc)', the president said.
Earlier, the Commandant of NDC. Rear Adm. Thomas Lokoson, said that the course graduating was inaugurated on September 10, 2012 with 131 participants.
Lokoson said the participants had been prepared to take up leadership positions in their various places of work.
He told the participants that they were privileged to have studied in an environment that is known for its high standard of discipline, moral value and excellence in academics.
He said: 'We expect that you will continue to live up to these high standards. You are leaving the National Defence College with various experiences.
'And I urge you to apply these experiences positively and always give good account of yourselves at all time knowing fully well that where you are coming from is known for its high standard and commitment excellence.'
The course consist of 131 participants with Army 50, Navy 35, Air Force 24, Police two, Department of State Security two.
Others are one participant each from Ministries of Defence, Finance , Foreign Affairs, Federal Road Safety Corps , National; Defence College, Nigeria Prison Service and National intelligence Agency.
There were also about 11 International participants from Benin Republic, Bukina Faso, Camerour, Central Africa Republic, Gabon, Guinea Conakry, Niger Republic, Sierra-Leone and Togo also took part in the course.